Daniel Hilferty, former Secretary Sebelius, and other industry leaders kick off Enroll America national conference

Published 2:43 PM ET Tue, 17 June 2014
Globe Newswire

PHILADELPHIA, PA, June 17, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Independence Blue Cross (Independence) President and CEO Daniel J. Hilferty today with former Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and other national leaders addressed more than 800 health care application assistors, government officials, community organizers, and health care leaders from 48 states at Enroll America's first national conference in Washington D.C. During his remarks Hilferty discussed the Affordable Care Act and the successes and challenges of the first open enrollment.

"At Independence Blue Cross, we pride ourselves on leading boldly. Doing nothing was not an option," said Hilferty. "The health care system in America is broken and we have to change it. The Affordable Care Act is not going to solve all of the challenges, but the law has been successful in expanding coverage and that is a critical first step."

Hilferty went on to say, "Reform has been a big shift for our business. The law has led to what some had called the 'Amazonification' of health insurance, where individual consumers can go online and in a few clicks see a wide range of coverage options. No longer is this strictly a business to business industry, individuals are now a key part of our efforts in the transformed business to consumer market we serve."

Enroll America is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization created to help consumers enroll and retain health care coverage. During the discussion, Hilferty shared the stage with former Secretary Kathleen Sebelius in her first major public appearance since resigning from the Department of Health and Human Services. Also participating in the discussion were Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear, President of Enroll America Anne Filipic, and President and CEO of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation Dr. Drew Altman.

A full list of the events for the two-day State of Enrollment: Getting America Covered conference is available here.

About Independence Blue CrossIndependence Blue Cross is the leading health insurer in southeastern Pennsylvania. With our affiliates, we serve nearly 8.5 million people in 24 states and the District of Columbia. For more than 75 years, we have been enhancing the health and wellness of the people and communities we serve by delivering innovative and competitively priced health care products and services; pioneering new ways to reward doctors, hospitals, and other health care professionals for coordinated, quality care; and supporting programs and events that promote wellness. To learn more about how we're changing the game, visit www.ibx.com. Connect with us on Facebook at ibx.com/facebook and on Twitter at @ibx. Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.